The first-ever Caribbean Climate Justice Camp for 120 community leaders from more than 25 Caribbean nations was hosted by EPIC, EPIC Sint Maarten, Roots, and many collaborators during March 28-31 on Sint Maarten. The successful event built knowledge and networks, included the sharing of stories and skills, and the co-creation of strategies to address conservation challenges faced by the region.

A series of interactive tracks were offered in the mornings focused on energy, gender and climate justice, marine conservation, and adaptation and resilience. The adaptation and resilience track was co-led and facilitated by EPIC Director Tabitha Stadler. “After this experience I’m even more hopeful for the future of Caribbean conservation because it is clearly being led by such strong activists. The positive engagement, idea-generation, and overall collaboration among attendees, most of them young professionals, was outstanding and inspirational,” said Stadler. Panel sessions entitled Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Involvement as Climate Adaptation Strategies and Promoting Sustainability and Resilience Through Education and Behavior Change included EPIC Associates and partners from Sint Maarten, Grenada, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. The afternoon sessions were participant-led on a wide range of topics including solar water heating, funding, data tools, sustainability, activism, human rights, communications, the climate economy, and more.

The first Climate Justice Camp was hosted by Roots in 2022 with the vision of convening youth living in the world’s most climate-impacted regions to work at the intersection between climate and social justice. Over the last two years, this effort has brought together over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries across the Global South, leading to new climate initiatives around the world.

The Climate Justice Camp Caribbean is the first Caribbean version of this event and was the result of collaboration between 25 local, regional, and international partners including EPIC. EPIC Sint Maarten Associate Riddhi Samtani attended a prior camp and was a major driver in bringing the Camp to the Caribbean and hosting it on Sint Maarten. “The Climate Justice Camp Caribbean has sparked an unparalleled sense of solidarity among movement builders and activists in our region. It's been amazing to witness people, many of whom are new to such events, embracing the crucial need to unify in the Caribbean. Seeing these interactions unfold in the heart of my community, Sint Maarten, adds an extra layer of significance to the work. We're not simply facing the climate crisis; we're rewriting the narrative of our collective futures for our islands,” said Samtani.

Thank you to Roots and the many partners, funders, supporters, volunteers, and participants who made the Caribbean Climate Justice camp possible.